At the Cross We Bow and Thank
Month 6: The Cross — Why Jesus Died · Family Worship
Today's Scripture
Read together: Galatians 6:14 & Colossians 1:19–20
14 But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. — Galatians 6:14
19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross. — Colossians 1:19–20
Memory Verse
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”— Isaiah 53:5 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 7–9
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 171 of 365 — God's glory fills Solomon's temple and the queen of Sheba marvels.)The Heart of It
This week we've stood at the cross and looked at it from every angle. Jesus' final cry. The great trade of . The prophecies that came true. The punishment He bore in our place. The torn curtain. His prayer of forgiveness. Today we simply respond. Paul says, "may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (). The world boasts in money, looks, talent, and trophies. But a Christian's one true boast is a bloody Roman cross. That's where everything that matters was won. Worship is what happens when the size of what Jesus did finally lands on our hearts, and we just can't stay silent.
And look how big it really is. God planned, "through Him to reconcile to Himself all things… by making peace through the blood of His cross" (). The cross didn't just fix me and you. It began the rescue of the whole broken world. One day God will wipe away every tear and make all things new (). So we gather as a family today, not to learn one more fact, but to bow and thank. Sing a song you know about the cross. Let each person finish this sentence: "Thank You, Jesus, for…" The right way to end a week at Calvary isn't pride in how much we've understood. It's gratitude that spills over into worship.
Around the Table
The cross is the best thing ever, so we say a big "Thank You, Jesus!"
Let's do it: Lift your hands and shout together, "Thank You, Jesus, for the cross!"
Paul "boasted" only in the cross. It's the one thing worth bragging about. And the cross is also healing the whole broken world.
Let's talk: What's one thing about the cross you want to thank Jesus for right now?
The cross reconciled all things to God. It's the turning point of the whole universe, not just my own story.
Let's go deeper: Why is the cross the only thing truly worth boasting in, and not your own achievements?
💬 Conversation Starter
If you could only "brag" about one thing for the rest of your life, what would most people pick? Paul picked the cross. What does that tell you about how good it is?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
The cross is the most documented execution in history. Friends and enemies alike wrote about it. But it's more than a fact to defend. It's a Person to thank. As reminds us, we explain our hope "with gentleness and respect." And the deepest reason anyone believes is that the crucified Jesus has met us with His love.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Family worship doesn't need to be polished, Dad. It needs to be honest. Your kids learn what's worth worshiping by watching what moves you. If a sunny forecast or a winning team stirs your heart more than the cross does, they'll notice. So this week, let them catch you being genuinely undone by grace. Maybe even teary as you sing. You don't have to perform. You just have to mean it. A father who boasts in the cross more than in his job, his strength, or his children's successes hands his family the one boast that will never let them down. So lead them in a song tonight, even if it's off-key. Worship is caught more than it's taught.
Draws on: Tony Evans, The Power of the Cross; Paul Tripp, New Morning Mercies.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, we bow and we thank You. Jesus was wounded for our wrongs. He made peace with You through His blood. Help us be proud of nothing but the cross. Help us worship You with our whole hearts. In Jesus' name, amen."
My one true boast is the cross. So my heart's right response is to bow and say thank You.